Introduction

What's this? King of Dragon Pass(KODP) is a simulation/choose your own adventure/generally genre-defying game originally released in 1999. The basic premise is that you're leading a clan of your people to glory by making a tribe, and eventually a kingdom. Along the way you fight things, explore, steal some cows, accumulate treasure, and deal with bickering between clans and within your own clan. The game itself is somewhat of an oddity - the only visuals are still images and text boxes, and gameplay mostly consists of making choices when events occur. It's set in the tabletop world of Glorantha, meaning there's a lot of information involving the people, places, and deities of Dragon Pass that never gets touched on in KODP itself.

What platform is this on? KODP was originally released on PC. It has recently gotten an iOS release, and even more recently has been released on GOG, so you no longer have to have A Sharp send you a CD via physical mail if you want to play it. The iOS version has a few gameplay tweaks(mostly new events, new treasures, and streamlining a few things), but both versions are more or less the same game. I own no iDevices, so this LP will be of the PC version.

Wasn't this LPed already? Yes, and I recommend reading Mystic Mongol's LP if you don't mind spoilers on the main plot events. However, KODP has a huge variety of events, making it so that no two games will tell the same story. Everything from the choices you make during clan creation to how you react to each event(and events rarely have a single correct response) will change how your clan plays out. Hell, I've played this game dozens of times and there are still times when I come across an event I've never seen before.

I'm also going to be posting the game's music where appropriate. Since the last LP, the game's full soundtrack has been officially released(for free!), and it's a pretty good listen. The track above plays at the title screen(which consists of the art at the start of the post, and new game/load game/exit).

List of shrines and blessings:Ancestors - We know Protection(defends against hostile spirits) and Summons of Evil(summons our ancestral enemies).Barntar - We have a shrine providing whichever of Plowsong(lets our oxen work harder) or Vigor (lets our farmers work harder) is more useful at the moment.Chalana Arroy We know all her blessings.Elmal - We have a great temple providing Steadfast(improves chances on defense), Shield(reduces deaths and wounds among our weaponthanes), and Sun(helps raise our crops). We also know Horsefriend(lets our horses live longer).Ernalda - We know all her blessings, and have a temple providing Bless Crops and Preserve.Humakt - We have a temple providing Truesword(doubles weaponthane strength) and Battle Luck(increases our chances of winning a battle). We also know Oath(seals bonds between clans) and Morale(improves ability of our warriors).Issaries - We have a temple providing Silvertongue(helps our traders and negotiators) and Market(improves profit of our market). We also know Spare Grain(gives us extra food from trading), and Trading(increases profit of trade missions).Lhankor Mhy - We have a temple providing Literacy(helps dealings with other clans) and Lawspeaker(aids in legal cases; ensures that clan mood isn't soured by unresolved disputes). We also know Clan Lore(helps divine the truth).Maran Gor - We have a shrine providing Earthblood(fertilzes our fields with the blood of everyone slain on defensive raids). We also know Blast Earth(curses another clan's fields; can only be cast with sacrifice)Odayla - We know all his blessings, and have Tracking(helps us find things) permanently activated for some reason.Orlanth - We have a temple providing Rain(helps raise our crops) and Lightning(we dish out more wounds in battle). We also know Woad(reduces deaths and wounds among the farmers) and Thunderstone(increases effectiveness of skirmishers).Tarad Riel - We know Watchfulness(helps our patrols).Uralda - We have a shrine providing Calf Blessing.Urox - We know Smite Chaos(does what it says on the tin), Sense Chaos(see previous) and Berserker(increases odds of victory, but causes more deaths and wounds on both sides).Vinga - We know both her blessings, and have a shrine providing Fyrdwomen(allows women to defend the tula).Wind Spirits - We can sacrifice to them for a variety of vague effects I never use.

Treasures We Own:Bit That Bound Vivamort - Repels the forces of Chaos.Board of Nails - Helps keep our farmers from becoming too unhappy.Captured Spirit - Helps to perform rituals.Eye Mirror - Improves effectiveness of our patrols.First Arrow - A flint arrowhead with great hunting powers if Odayla is on the clan ring.Greysage Mask - A leather mask from the Knowing God that grants certain clan members wisdom.Hate Torch - An ever-burning magic torch that grants certain clan members cunning and strength.Head of Markanth - Can terrify foes in battle.Heort's Balm - Turns the clan ring's practice of the law into magic for our herds.Heort's Stone - Helps us heroquest when we're in desperate straits.Humakt's Raven Banner - Wins a battle, but the standard-bearer dies.Humakt's Sword - Strengthens our Humakti when the battle goal is death.Iron Plow - Helps our farmers if Barntar is on the clan ring.Kero Fin Kite - Helps sacrifices reach the gods.Klanth of Orlanth - Strengthens warriors when they charge into battle.Necklace of Axes - Helps those who hate the elves.Quivin's Torc - Grants certain clan members great insights.Red Leather Mask - Helps overcome skepticism.Scarf of Seven Runes - A magic scarf that helps us when we heroquest to the Lightbringers.Shifting Statue - A magic statue that keeps everyone amused by changing shape each season.Shimmering Cloak - Helps us evade our foes in battle.Silver Lips - Helps overcome reluctance.Silver Tongue - Makes it easy to maintain a great temple to Issaries.Splendorbread - Adds to our magic each harvest time. (this description is slightly misleading - it counts as if we put extra magic into Crops at Sacred Time, instead of giving us actual magic points)Strong Man's Toothpick - Gives certain clan members strength and resolution.Tiger's Eye Necklace - Helps us track things down and find them.Veil of Chalana Arroy - Helps calm vengeful people.Vinga's Comb - If Vinga is on the clan ring, Vingans and Orlanthi gain prowess.